Safety device for automobile steering gears



Dec. 1, 1931. E. w. CADNUM 1,833,932

SAFETY DEVICE FOR AUTOMQBILE STEERING GEARS Filed July 18, '1928 Caahumkq m xz * UNITED, STATES mm: W. GADNUM, or BRUrrswIcK; oirro I SAFETY nnvron non horror/rennin STEERING GEARS Application filed July 18,

treme simplicity and low cost and which can be applied to the standard steering gear with- 10 out any modification or alteration thereof whatever. I V Q My invention consists in whatever is described by or is included within the terms or scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of one embodiment of my invention applied to the steering gear;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detail view in perspective of the safety device;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another em-' bodiment of my invention.

In the standard or conventional automobile steering gear there is, a ball and socket joint which comprises a chamber in the end,

of the drag link into which the ball is inserted through a keyhole slot in the bottom wall of such chamber, and which by friction of the ball shank upon the side edges thereof wears to an extent which will allow the ball to drop through, or suificientplayof the ball may occur as to allow it'to drop through the large portion of the keyhole slot.

' member to escape or is capable of effectively resisting any tendency to escape of'the ball member from its connection: with the drag In the embodiment of; my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, my invention is. a, simple sleeve, 10, in one piece so'that is rigid in cross section and incapableof opening or expanding and whose internal diameter pref been applied to the draglink, it maybe given My safety device is simply a sleeve of metal 1928. Serial No. 293,722.

erably makes adriving fit with the exterior of the end, 11, of thedrag link, and which in oneside wall has a slot, 12, which opens to one'end of the sleeve and which hasa width.

throughoutits length barelysufiicient to'ac- "55 i cominodate the shank or stem, 13, of the ball, 14. Theopen end of the slot is to enable the sleeve to be driven" endwise upon the dragf link end, straddling the ball shank or stem,

13, and the closed end of the slot may reach "66 across the enlarged end of the keyhole slot,

" 15, in the drag link wall. As the side edges or .marginsof the slot, 12, are spaced apart a dis.-

tance much less than the diameter of the ball,

14, obviously it is impossible for the ball;?

to pass through such slot. i In the form of my invention shown in Fig.

- 4 the sleeve, 100, is split longitudinally or lengthwise on one side, and at midlength a hole, 120, is provde'd for the play of the ball stem, 130, and at each side of'such hole on opposite sides of the split areopp'osing radial lugs, 16, perforated to receive a nut and bolt connector, 17, by which when the sleeve has that rigidity or immovability in respect of its cross section which is an essential'characteristic of my safety device. Of course, to apply the sleeve, 100 of Fig. 4, the bolt secur ing means must'be removed so as to'allow ao suflicient opening of the sleeve to pass the ball stem,,130,'in view of the fact that the hole, f H 120, is not a slot with a permanently open end as in the sleeve shown in Figs. 1 to i A sleeve embodying my invention, especially when in the simple form with the smooth exterior as in Figs. 1 to 3 may be made ornamental or attractive in appearance by nickel plating.

lVhat'I claim is: j

A safety device for automobile steering gear drag links comprising aball and socket jointhaving socket member, a ballwithin the socketanda ball shank extending through a side opening in the socket member, a'sle'eve [mounted onf'thesocket member having an, .Y f opening for th'epassage ,andplay of the ball i stem, said opening being substantially smaller a in size than the ball to resist outward move j a 1 ment of the ball,said sleeve being split lonp r v r 1,833,932

gitudinally on each side of the opening for the ball stem and having a pair of ears at each side of the ball stem and means to connect the ears of each pair to clamp the sleeve tightly on the socket member. 7 I

In testimony whereof I hereunto'aflix my signature. e I w-ELZY'WLC ADN UM; i 

